Button element



Jan. 14, 1936. w. c. BRoADwELL BUTTON ELEMENT Filed June 8, 1935INVENTOR. v

,\ Z/( l @4Z v ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 14, A1936 Application June 8,1935, Serial No. 25,593 In Canada October- 26, 1934 16 Claims. '(Cl,24-245) This invention relates to button elements of the type shown anddescribedin my copending application SerialNo. 698,139, now Patent No.2,006,535, dated July 2,4935, with respect to which the presentapplication is a continuation in part.

An important object'of this invention is to provide a generally improvedbutton element which is simple in construction, reliable in use, inex'-pensive. to manufacture, and adapted to so function in conjunction witha companion loop mem-V ber of the type shown and described in saidccpending application'as to effect a pronounced impinging action on agarment at points where it is confined between the overlying flange-likei5 margins' of the button head and the underlying portions of the loopmember.

Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will become apparent fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a face view showing one form of but,-

ton element associated with a companion loop member;v Fig. .2 'is atransverse sectional view' taken online 2--2 of Fig. l Fig. 3 isanenlarged transverse sectional view of the button element and -itsassociated retaining strap; Fig. 4 is a viewv similar to that lof Fig. 3and illustrating the manner in which the ange-like margins of the buttonhead are deflected into -impinging engage- 30 ment with a. garment undertension; Fig. 5 is a showingin section a mold. by which the buttonelement 'of Figs. Sand 7 maybe formed.

In Figs. 1 and 2:'one form of the present iny 40 vention is illustratedin` association with a loop member I, of .suitable material such assheet metal, the leg portions 6 of which present a pair of inwardlyprojecting lugslatopposite sides --of the -loop opening 8 and at pointssubstantially midway ofthe length of that opening and further presentimmediately adjacent the lugs 1 a pair of downwardly and inwardly`inclined' but-- I 'tonengaging walls I0.' l

.'The form o f button element I I, which em. bodies the presentinvention and which 'is shown inQFigs. lto 5, includes a 'retainingstrap I2 and a button I 4, the strap being adapted for connection totheloop member 5 by means hereinafter more particularly described. I As tothe button element II, it will be noted includes' a pair of mold members20 and 2|, the

- secured to the lower face of the mold member 2 I.

that the retaining strap I2 thereof comprises a suitable fabric I5,-such as a non-stretchable sheeting, in association with a suitablefabric I 6, such as astretchable stockinet material, the two fabricsbeing permanently united to each 5 other-throughout the length of thestrap@ by an interposed layer-of rubber I'I. It will be also notedthat'the button Il'includes a mass of rub- `ber I8, which is in physicalunion with the layer of rubber I'I and which is disposed intermediate aportion of the non-stretchable fabric I5 and that portion of thestretchable" fabric I6 which is so distorted in thebutton-element-forming opt eration, hereinafter more particularlydescribed,

that it conforms generally, as shown most clearly in Figs. v3, 4 and 5,to the contour of the button within which it is embedded.

The button elements II may be produced in quantities bythe ,aid of asuitable mold, which latter of which is provided with a plurality ofmold cavities 22, only one of which is herein shown but each of whichhas a conguration conforming tothe desired surface contour of the buttonI4 of the -nished button element. Each of the mold cavities 22 is formedby reason of the fact that the moldamember 2l is so recessed as toprovide therein apocket 24, which registers with an opening 25, providedin a face` plate 26,

In carrying on the method employed in producing the button element II, astrip or sheet of non-stretchable fabric I5 is placed on the upper faceofthe mold member 20, while the mold members 20fand 2l are separated,whereupon a quantity of rubber compound R is applied to that fabric.After applying the rubber compound, `a strip or sheet ofstretchablefabric I6 is placed ontop of the rubber compound, whereuponthe mold member 2| is moved downwardly, by suit- 40 able means, intoengagement with the uppermost fabric, with the result that, as the moldmember 2| assumes its position shown in Fig. 5, the rub-v ber compoundis forced upwardly into the mold cavity 22, carrying with ita portion ofthe stretch- '45 able fabric I6. thus forming the buttons I4, eachofwhich is characterized by the factthat the -displaced portion of thefabric I6 'assumes such a positionfasshownin Figs. 3, 4 and 5, that itserves as a reinforcing .element for the button. 5u As the mold member 2I vassumes its position shown 'l in Fig. 5the rubber compound is notonly dis- 'piammthe manner describedfbut it is also caused to enter 'andfill the spaces between thel threads'sof the fabrics so that the fabricsand 55 the rubber compound are firmly united into a unitary structure tobe subjected to v'ulcanization within vthe mold.

Upon completing the molding operation just described, the buttonelements I l may be blanked or otherwise removed from the unitarystructure, each button element being reinforced with respect vto itsincluded strap I2 as well as with respect to its included button I4 byreason of the of the fabrics I 5 and I8.

In order that the button element II and loop member 5 may be easilycombined and thereafter heldin an assembled relation, the latter isformed with an aperture 21 and is provided with a struckup anchor-tongue28, between the end of which and the adjacent portion of the loop memberis afforded a slot 23 which is contiguous to the usual support-receivingopening and the width presence of which, when the tongue is moved intothe plane of the -loop member, is slightly less than the normalthickness of the-retaining strap` I2 of the button element. By utilizingthe tongue 23, the

` button element II may be effectively anchored to the loop member 5 andin doing so the retaining strap I2 is passed through the slot 29 fromtheA rear of the 'loop member,`thexice downwardly over the tongue 28 andinto the aperture 21,

whereupon the tongue 23 is moved into the plane of the loop member whereit exerts an impinging action on retaining strap whereby the buttonelement and loop member. are permanently held in an assembled relation.

A pronounced peculiarity of the button element II, herein disclosed,resides in the fact that as the garment is subjected to tension incidentto the downward pull exerted thereon when worn,

the relatively soft flange-like margins of the but-v .ton head aredeflected or urged into impinging engagement with the garment, at thepoints where it is confined between such margins and the underlying legportions 6 of the loop member 5, and exert on the garment a holdingeiect which .increases in intensity as the downward pull on the garmentis increased. Deflection of the Bange-like margins of the button head inthe manner described may be readily accounted for when it is taken intoaccount that such gripping action as is exerted on the garment, by`reason of its being impinged between the shank portion 3| of the buttonand button-engaging walls III of 4 the loop member, is insufficient toso hold the garment between the shank portion '3| of the button I4 andthe button-engagingv walls III of the loop member 3, such shank portionis shaped, as shown byrthe dotted lines 32 in Fig. l, to conform to theinclination of the button-engaging walls, when the button is positionedas shown in that figure, with considerable space remaining betweenitself and the lower end of the-inner wall of the loop opening 3.Despite the fact that the distance between the lugs 1 is slightly lessthan the transverse width of the shank portion 3| of the button I4,which is-required to pass intermediate such lugs when attaching agarment to the loop member 5, these lugs do not unduly restrain suchpassage of .the button shank therebetween but yet serve to guard againstundue displacement of the button in a reverse,l direction, as whentension is applied to the garment transversely of the retaining strap I2and in a path across its associated button I4.

Referring to the form of invention shown in Figs. 6 to 8, it will benoted that the button element II' differs from the button element I Ihereinbefore described in that its retaining strap I2 in the immediatevicinity of its associated button I4' is somewhat wider than and extendslaterally beyond the s ame, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, and in thatthe retaining strap is formed at its outer end with a transverselydisposed retaining rib or bead 34 which presents a retaining shoulder 35extending longitudinally thereof and transversely of the strap.

As to the form of loop member 5 shown in Figs. 6 and 7, it will be notedthat it differs from from the loop member 5, hereinbefore described, inthat its retaining tongue 28 is curved so as to, in effect, shorten itsufficiently to allow between itself and the adjacent portion of theloop member, from which it is sheared in the dieforming operation, amplespace to accommodate the-ribbed or beaded end of the retaining strap I2.By .utilizing the .retaining tongue 28', the

' button element II' may be effectively anchored to the loop member 5',and in doing so the retaining strap I2' is passed from the rear of theloop member through the usual support-receiving opening 30',intermediate which and the retaining tongue 2l' is formed a rib-engaginggusset 36, and is thereafter so introduced into the space or slotafforded between the tongue 23 and the gusset 36 as to enable theretaining shoulder 35 to engage the gusset as shown in Fig. 7, whereuponthe tongue 23' is moved into engagement .with the strap I2' in thevicinity of the retaining -rib -34 where it exerts an impinging actionon the strap, whereby the loop member 5' and the button element II' arepermanently lheld in an assembled relation.

The button elements I I may be produced in quantities by the aid of asuitable mold, which includes a pair of mold members 20' and 2 I', theformer of which is identical with the mold member 20, hereinbeforedescribed, and the latter of which is identical with the mold member 2|,also hereinbefore described, except that it is provided with a pluralityof auxiliary mold cavities 31, only one of which is herein shown buteach of which has a configuration conforming to the desired surface'contour of the retaining rib o r bead 34 of the finished buttonelements. Each of the mold cavities 31 is formed by reason of the factthat the face plate 26', with which the mold member 2l is provided, issorecessed as to afford therein a pocket 3l into which a portion of therubber compound R', employed in the molding operation, is'forced,carrying with it a portion of the stretchable fabric I 3'.

In carrying on the method employed in provducing the button elements II', the procedure is Videntical with that described in connection withfabric I6' assumes such a position, as shown mostv clearly lin Fig. 8.that it serves as a reinforcement for thebead generally and for itsretaining shoulder 35 in particular, thus enabling the bead toeffectively function, in -association with the retaining tongue 28' andthe rib-engaging gusset 36 as means for retaining the-button AelementIl' against undue displacement` when attached to theloop member 5' asshown in Figs. 6 and 7.'

It will be understood that various changes other than those hereindescribed may be resorted to without departing from the spirit `oi.' theinvention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A button element for use with a companion loop member comprising anon-stretchable fabric serving as a retaining strap, a button ofrelatively soft rubber having a bonded union with said strap andincluding a shank portion and having a head presenting relatively thinflange-like margins extending laterally beyond said shank and adapted tobe exed toward the leg portions of said loop member and into impingingengagement with a garment at points underlying such margins andoverlying .such leg portions as. when the loopmember and button elementare cooperatively atable fabric, ka strip of stretchable fabricdisposed, in a contiguous relation to the first-mentionedv fabric," anda'mass` of relatively soft rubber disposed intermediate said fabricsand. in bondedv union therewith, said rubber being shaped to present abutton at one Iend of said non-stretchable union therewith,` said rubberbeing Ashaped topresent a button at one end of said non-stretchablefabric and the'corresponding end of saidstretchable fabric beingembedded in said button and conforming generallyk to the contourthereof, said button including a shank portion and having a headpresenting relatively thin flange-like margns extending laterally beyondsaid shank and adapted to be flexed toward the leg portions of said loopmemberand into impinging engagement with 'a garment at points underlyingsuch margins and overlying such leg portions as when' the loop memberand button element are cooperal 4tively attached to a garment and suchgarment is subjected to tension in the vicinity contiguous to theunderlying head of said button.

4. A. button element for use with a companion loop member comprising anon-stretchable fabric serving as a retaining strap, a retaining beadcarried at one end of said strap and including a` mass of rubber inbonded union with said fabric, a button carried at the other end of saidstrap and including a mass of rubber shaped to a definite 'contour andin bonded union with said fabric, a

I stretchable fabric disposed ina contig ious rela-4 erally'to saidretaining bead and said button,

l' and a layer of rubber disposed intermediate :said non-stretchablefabric and said stretchable fabric intermediate said retaining bead andsaid button and there in bonded union with said fabrics.

5. A button'element for use with a companion' loop member comprising anon-stretchable fabric serving as a retaining strap, a retaining beadlcarried at one end of said strap and including a mass of rubber inbonded union with said fabric, a button carried at the other end ofsaid'strap` and including a ymass of rubber shaped to adenite contour.and in bonded union with said fabric, a stretchable fabric disposed in acontiguous relation .to said non-stretchable fabric intermediate saidretaining bead and said button of said button.

6. A button element comprising a non-stretchablefabric, a buttonincluding a mass of rubber y shaped to a definite contour and in bondedunion with said fabric, a stretchable fabric embedded insaid button andconforming generally to the contour thereof and in bonded union withsaid non-stretchable fabric adjacent the base of said button andforming-in commotion with said nontegral with the rubber of saidretaining rib and stretchable fabric an envelope withinwhich is confinedthe button core comprising a portion'of the button forming rubber. j

'7. A button element comprising a strip of nonstretchable fabric, abutton including a mass of rubber shaped to a denite contour and inbonded union with said fabric, a strip of stretchable fabric, atab-forming portion of which overlies and is in bonded union with acorresponding portion of said non-stretchablefabric and another portionof which is embedded in said button and conforms generallyto the contourthereof and Ais in bonded union with said non-stretchablefabric'adjacent the base of said button and forms in conjunction withsaid non-stretchable 'fabric .an envelope within which` is confined thebutton core comprising a portion ofthe button-forming rubber.

' 8. A button element comprising a strip of nonstretchable fabric, abutton includinga mass of rubber shaped to a definite contour and inbonded union with said fabric, a strip of stretchable fabric, atab-forming portion of which overlies V and is in bonded union with acorresponding portion of saidLnon-stretchable fabric and another portionof which is embedded in said button and conforms generallyto the contourthereof and is in bonded union with said non-stretchable fabric adjacentthe base of said button and forms invconjunction with saidnon-stretchable fabric an envelope within which is conned the buttoncorevcomprising a portion of the button-forming rubber, a retaining ribincluding a massv of rubber shaped to a denite contour and in bondedunion with -the tab-forming portions. of said fabrics and within -whichisV embedded a ribreinforcing portion of said stretchable fabric,

9. A button element for'use with a companion loop member comprising aretaining strap, a button ofdrelatively'softl rubber having a vunionwith said strap and including a shank portion and having a headpresenting relatively thin flange-like margins extending laterallybeyond said shank and adapted to be flexed toward the leg portions ofsaid loop member and into impinging engagement with a garment at pointsunderlying such margins and overlying such leg portions as when the loopmember and button element are cooperatively attached to a garment andsuch garment is subjected to tension in the vicinity contiguous totheunderlying head of said button.

10. A button elementfor use with a companion loop member'comprising aretaining strap, a strip of stretchable fabric disposed in a contiguousrelation to said strap, and'a mass of relatively soft rubber disposedintermediate said strap and said fabric and in union therewith, saidrubber being'shaped topresent a button at one end of said strap and thecorresponding end of said stretchable fabric being embedded in saidbutton and conforming generally to the contour thereof.

1l. A button element for use with a companion loop member comprising aretaining strap', a strip of stretchable fabric disposed in a contiguousrelation to said strap, and a. mass of relatively soft rubber disposedintermediate said-*strap and said fabric and in union therewith, saidrubber being shaped to present a button at one end of said .strap andthe corresponding fend of said stretchable fabric being embedded in saidbutton and conforming generally to the contour thereof, said buttonincluding a shank portion and having a head presenting relatively thinflange-like margins extending laterally beyond said shank and adaptedto` be flexed foward vthe leg portions of l said loop member and intoimpinglng engagement with a garment at points underlying ,such marginsand overlying such leg portions as when the loop member and buttonelement are cooperatively attached to a garment and such garment issubjected to tension in the vicinity contiguous to the underlying headof said button.

12. A button element for use with a companion loop member comprising aretaining strap, a retaining bead carried at one end of said strap andincluding a mass vof rubber in union with said strap, a button carriedat the other end of said strap and including a mass of rubber shaped toa definitecontour and in union with said strap, a. stretchable fabricdisposed in a contiguous relation to said strap intermediate saidretaining bead and said button and embedded at opposite ends in andthere conforming generally to said bead and said button, and a layer ofrubber disposed intermediate said strap and said stretchable fabricintermediate said retaining' bead and said button and there in unionwith said strap and said stretchable fabric.

13. A button element for use with a companion loop member comprising aretaining strap, a retaining bead carried at one end of said strap andincluding a mass of 'rubber in union with said strap, a button carriedat the other end of said strap and including a mass of rubber shaped toa definite, contour and in union with -said strap, a stretchable fabricdisposed in a contiguous relation to said strap intermediate saidretaining bead and said button and embedded at opposite ends in andthere conforming generally to said retaining bead and said button, and alayer of rubber disposed intermediate said strap and said .stretchablefabric intermediate said retaining bead and saidbutton and there inunion with said strap and said stretchable fabric, said layer of rubberbeing .integral with the rubber of said retaining rib and of saidbutton;

14. A button element comprising a retaining strap, a button including amass of rubber shaped to a definite contour and in union with laidstrap, a stretchable fabric embedded in said button and conforminggenerally to'the contour thereof and in union with said strap adjacentthe base of said button and forming in conjunction with said strap anenvelope within which is confined the button core comprising a portionof the buttonforming rubber.

15. A button element comprising a retaining strap, a button including amass of rubber shaped to a definite contour and in union with saidstrap, a strip of stretchable fabric, a tab-forming portion of whichoverlies and is in union with a cor- 'responding portion of said strapand another tion of which overlies and is in union with a correspondingportion of said strap and another portion of which is embedded in saidbutton and conforms generally to the contour thereof and is in unionwith said strap adjacent the base of said button and forms inconjunction with said strap an envelopewithin which is confined thebutton core comprising a portion of. the button-forming rubber, aretaining rib including,1 a mass of rubber shaped to a definite contourand in union with the tab-forming portion of said strap and saidstretchable fabric and within which is embedded a rib-reinforcingportion of said stretchable fabric, said rib-reinforcing portionconforming generally to the contour of said rib and between which andsaid strap is confined the rib core comprising a portion of therib-forming mass.

WILLIAM C. BROADWELL.

